St. Louis Fly Shops

[Gavin]

Guess you cant please everyone all the time...I get great service at both shops but I've spent the time to develop relationships with many of the folks who work there, and I know lots of their customers. It's hard to run in and out of either because I usually run into a conversation or several. Go when they arent busy...introduce yourself...ask questions and hang out for awhile...pretty simple really.

[joeD]

Yeah. What Gavin said. Unless you're monetarily successful and drive a nice car. With a nice house. Nice wife. ("Lewis, you make that sound like it's a bad thing." Ed Gentry from "Deliverance")

[10pointer]

Hargroves will always get my vote tom and craig are some of the nicest guys around. Sure i havent had any bad experiences at FC but the guys at Hargroves go above and beyond every time. Tom and the crew are always looking to bs and just talk about fishing and help out. They donate to alot of great causes and have that x factor that just makes everyone feel welcome. They have fished all over but you will never hear any snooty bragging or see an uppity attitude. They have a customer for life in me. Sure they might not have everything based on the limited store size but they do a hell of a job having quality materials and they can get just about everything

I was just down there a couple weeks ago looking for a specific higher end simms boot and even though they were out of my size they offered to order it for me. Sure i could have went down the street to see if the other guys had it but i ordered through Hargroves. I work in sales and i really appreciate what they do. They make their customers feel welcome and as is evident in this thread it shows and they have built a great customer base. Ive been to quite a few flyshops across the country and they rank way up there

[Mitch f]

I go to both places,but the guys are more fun to talk to at Hargroves. Kind of like the guys that used to hang out at a gas station.

[salmotrutta]

When I first moved here 3 years ago, I walked into FC with $800 in my pocket to purchase some gear. I was the only customer in there along with 2 employees. Not one asked me if I needed assistance. After 10 minutes, I left not knowing Hargrove was down the street. I hit my GPS for Fly Shops and found them. Tom and Craig took care of me without having to ask. I am loyal to the core with Tom's shop. Good people and good times.

I will say this...I did meet Evan from FC down on the NFOW a few years ago. Stand up guy who hooked me up with some nice nuggets for the river. I will never forget that.

Thank you Tom and Craig for all your help and knowledge!

[salmotrutta]

And no..not the green nuggets

[rfd515]

I got my first casting lesson at Feather-Craft when I was like 13 and the internet didnt even exist. Back then it seemed more like a true 'fly shop', guys hanging out, shooting the bull, like what Hargrove's seems to be now.

The last couple times I've been in FC, the actual shop seems to be more of an afterthought. There's basically one guy manning the register just to make sure no one robs the place. Their internet business clearly seems to be their focus, which I totally get, this is the digital age, and whatever a business has to do to stay afloat is good with me. The only real complaint I have is that half the stuff isn't stocked in the shop and you inevitably have to ask them if they have it in the back, which they usually do.

[Midwest troutbum]

Ice cold!

I don't think thats the case with either shop. I'd say the reverse is true . . . lot of snobby shoppers these days it seems to me . . . expecting the royal treatment as they enter. Everyone is a restaurant critic these days.

Ice cold!

Many others would not call me a snobby shopper, or "restaurant critic". I ask good solid questions and don't expect special treatment. I just expect some kind of "hello", can I help you? or what may I help you with, or how's it going? at the least, especially in a smaller store or shop. I was in my 20's at the time and the shop had at least one other apparent regular customer. More watching went on than help. I'm just sharing my personal experience. As I stated, everyone needs to experience both shops for themselves, as everyone will have a different experience, or has a varying opinion. First time and second time impressions typically stick for me. My original post was my opinion. I never suggested it to be a factual report of what everyone will experience.

[Midwest troutbum]

Guess you cant please everyone all the time...I get great service at both shops but I've spent the time to develop relationships with many of the folks who work there, and I know lots of their customers. It's hard to run in and out of either because I usually run into a conversation or several. Go when they arent busy...introduce yourself...ask questions and hang out for awhile...pretty simple really.

Good advice.

I was in my 20's at the time, and it's a bit unnerving to approach a group of guys sitting around a round table in conversation. It was just my personal experience at the time. I felt like I was being watched more than being helped as a customer. I guess I was just looking to be looked at more of a potential future long term customer than potential thief or shady character. It may have been a different story had I walked in with my dad or my family or was a bit older. Both stores have their qualities. As I essentially stated, everyone should experience these places for themselves, and It was only my opinion of what I experienced at the time. Everyone will have a varying experience or opinion from what I had. I would be willing to try either store again. I like the fact that both are dedicated to just fly fishing and not selling everything under the sun.

[Midwest troutbum]

Midwest troutbum,

When some blow-hard is talking about his time share in Aruba just remember this -- it's a freakin' time share! All you need is a pulse to get into a time share. Just ask my brother-in-law. Getting out of one is what takes talent. Anyhoo -- why does it matter anyway? Some people got more stuff than you do. Relax -- it's just gonna be that way.

You gotta lose that inferiority complex, man. When you tiptoe into a flyshop all mousy and feeling like you're out of place, it's gonna show. I bet you headed right over to the close-out bin and started picking through it. Maybe even grabbed a packet of pink marabou or tried on a pair of last-year's Red Balls.

You gotta carry yourself like you've already got everything in the shop, but you're looking for some backup equipment to leave at your HOME in Aruba. Hold your head up. Get the dude-atude. Your money's as good as the next guy's.

Or, you just may be happier shopping online.

Ness,

You have no clue as how many assumptions you made when writing your post. For all you know, I could be anywhere from the retired owner of a multi million dollar company to a unemployed person. I could own several pairs of the top of the line Simms waders, live in Aruba, or just use my bluejean cutoff shorts in the river. I could even be a 25+ year veteran fly fisher and fit in extremely well. You remind me of a car salesman that either misses the point or misinterprets their customer's words.